Submerged water inlet strainer for a water hose

ABSTRACT

An apparatus, a system and a method for obtaining sieved water, for fighting fires, from a source of water having foreign objects are disclosed. A strainer is connected to a tank via a hose such that water may be pumped from the strainer to the tank. The strainer includes a water inlet having a sieve-like material over it and a water outlet connector where the hose connects. The strainer is submerged in a source of water such as a pond or stream. As water enters the strainer via the water inlet, the sieve-like material prevents foreign objects such as rocks and leaves from entering the strainer. Therefore, the foreign objects never reach the tank. A pan may be connected to the bottom of the strainer to elevate the strainer above the bottom of the source of water. Such elevating helps achieve desired flow rates without stirring or roiling foreign objects such as sand or gravel that may be at the bottom of the source of water.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[0001] This application claims priority to provisional U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 60/442,343, filed on Jan. 24, 2003.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to a strainer device, particularly one that is used in association with water supplies in fire fighting, even more particularly in fire fighting in remote locations. Even more particularly, certain embodiments of the present invention relate to a strainer device that has a removable pan or plate that may be attached to the strainer, so that water from a source such as a creek, pond, lake, sea or the like may pass through the strainer at rates in excess of 1500 gallons per minute without disturbing a sand or gravel base in the water source.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] One of the seminal patents in this field is U.S. Pat. No. 3,613,894, to Clegg (“Clegg '894”), dated Oct. 19, 1971. That patent describes the use of “stop and go” (also known as “dump and go”) tanks in the fighting of rural fires. A stop and go tank is simply a portable container which is transported to the fire, filled with water from a local source, and used to dispense the water through conventional fire hoses onto the fire. When the tank is emptied, it is refilled from the local water source. This technique is a desirable alternative to the use of shuttle trucks bringing water to the site, provided that a local water source is readily available.

[0004] According to Clegg '894, a problem that exists in dump and go tanks is the entry of foreign objects into the tank when a pond, stream or the like is used as the water source. Rather than doing anything to remove these foreign objects, Clegg '894 teaches a strainer device that remains in the tank and prevents the foreign objects from entering the hose which withdraws the water from the tank. However, the Clegg '894 device operates in the rather clean conditions inside the stop and go tank, not in a sandy or gravelly stream bed or beach.

[0005] Clegg '894 discloses the need to refill the tank of a dump and go tanker as quickly as possible and even discusses the problems in the tank associated with keeping the strainer in place during the swirling and whirlpooling that can occur during periods of rapid filling of the tank.

[0006] Clegg '894 is not the only patent that describes a strainer type device for use inside a dump and go tank. Another such invention in taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,357,238, to Ziaylek, Jr., issued Nov. 2, 1982 (“Ziaylek '238”). That invention also teaches a strainer device which seeks to position itself as low in the tank as possible and remove foreign objects from the water flowing out of the tank into a hose, keeping the foreign objects in the tank.

[0007] Interestingly, when Ziaylek later obtained a patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,647,374, Mar. 3, 1987) (“Ziaylek '374”) describing an inlet head for removing water from a pool, pond or the like, the concept of using a strainer device that seeks the low spot in the water source was not a part of the invention. Ziaylek '374 teaches that the pumping of water from the bottom of a stream or pond may be substantially impeded if the strainer becomes clogged or covered with leaves or other debris.

[0008] While the need to keep foreign objects out of the fire hoses is certainly desired, an even more important desire is to prevent the foreign objects from ever getting into the tank in the first place. Clearly, when foreign objects enter the tank, they must eventually be removed. If they don't leave through the hoses, they will need to be cleaned out. This need not happen if the foreign objects never enter the tank.

[0009] It is desirable to prevent foreign objects from entering the tank while maintaining a high fill rate of the tank that it is at least 1500 gallons per minute, and preferably even higher.

[0010] Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional, traditional, and proposed approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus for straining water used in association with water supplies in fire fighting. The apparatus comprises a substantially closed, submergible, hollow structure enclosing a volume of space and a connector mounted to the hollow structure over a first opening in the hollow structure. The apparatus also comprises at least one sieve-like material mounted to the hollow structure over at least a second opening in the hollow structure.

[0012] An embodiment of the present invention provides a system to for obtaining sieved water from a source for fighting fires. The system comprises a submergible strainer to take in water from a source of water while keeping out foreign objects. The system further comprises a tank to hold a volume of the strained water and a hose connected between the strainer and the tank to transport the strained water from the strainer to the tank such that the water can be used to fight a fire.

[0013] An embodiment of the present invention provides a method to obtain sieved water from a source for fighting fires. The method comprises connecting a strainer to a first end of a hose and submerging the strainer in a source of water. The method further comprises connecting a second end of the hose to a tank.

[0014] These and other advantages and novel features of the present invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIGS. 1A-1E illustrate isometric views of a strainer, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate elevation views of the strainer of FIGS. 1A-1E with a pan in place, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 3 illustrates a front elevation view of the pan of FIGS. 2A-2B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate a top plan view and a side elevation view of the pan of FIGS. 2A-2B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate details of the attachment of the pan of FIGS. 2A-2B to the strainer of FIGS. 2A-2B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a system using the strainer of FIGS. 1A-1E, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method to sieve and transport water using the system of FIG. 6, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] FIGS. 1A-1E illustrate isometric views of a submergible strainer 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A shows a top plan view of the strainer 10 of the present invention, while FIG. 1B shows a front elevation view, FIG. 1C shows a rear elevation view, FIG. 1D shows a bottom plan view and FIG. 1E shows the right side elevation view, it being understood that the left side elevation view would be a mirror image thereof.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1A-1E, the strainer 10 comprises a substantially closed, submergible, hollow structure 12, in the particular embodiment illustrated being a rectangular box-like structure enclosing a volume of space. In an embodiment anticipated but not illustrated, the hollow structure could be, for example, cylindrical, with a circular plan aspect instead of a rectangular plan aspect. The top wall 14 of the structure 12 is essentially flat and featureless, and, importantly, closed, so that water does not flow in or out of the structure through the top wall. Side walls are essentially identical, with the exception being the front wall 16A, in which a hole (i.e., opening) is formed and a threaded hose connection 18 is provided. The rear wall 16D is featureless and side walls 16B, 16C can be featureless, although the embodiment illustrated shows them having handles 20.

[0024] Notably, bottom wall 22 has a significant portion thereof cut out, with the holes (or openings) thereby created being covered by a sieve-like material, in this case, expanded metal plates 24. In a particular embodiment, the expanded metal plates 24 have holes that are approximately 0.25″×0.75″ holes. To the inventor's knowledge, these holes are significantly larger than holes on competing products on the market, but these larger openings may be used because the other features of the device permit them. The configuration of the expanded metal plates 24 increases the amount of water through-put.

[0025] Each of the side walls 16A-16D has a cut out portion 26 in the center bottom, at a point actually below the bottom wall 22, as particularly seen in FIG. 1B. These cutout portions 26 effectively provide the strainer 10 with corner-positioned legs to hold the bottom wall 22 above a surface on which the strainer 10 may be placed. These legs then help to define an antechamber through which all water must pass before passing through the expanded metal plates 24 into an interior of the substantially closed structure 12 and then out of the structure 12 through the hose connection 18. Each of the legs has a bore 27 (see FIG. 2B) which will be used in attaching the strainer to a pan, as described below.

[0026] The strainer 10 may be used in a clean body of water with a flat, solid bed in the manner shown in FIGS. 1A-1E, that is, without any pan as will be described below. For example, the strainer 10 could be used to obtain water from a clean swimming pool.

[0027] FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate elevation views of the strainer 10 of FIGS. 1A-1E with a pan 30 in place, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In many situations, such as in a sandy beachfront or along a stream containing gravel, the strainer 10 would preferably be used in conjunction with the pan 30 that also comprises a part of the present invention. FIGS. 2A-2B show the strainer 10 assembled with the pan 30, FIG. 2A being a front elevation view and FIG. 2B being a side elevation view.

[0028]FIG. 3 illustrates a front elevation view of the pan 30 of FIGS. 2A-2B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. General features of the pan 30 are seen in FIGS. 2A-2B and FIG. 3. These include a flat pan bottom 32, of rectangular shape to conform the pan 30 with strainer 10, an outwardly angled set of side walls 34 and four stanchions or stems 36 for attaching the pan to the strainer in a fixed, spaced-apart manner. Particularly noted are the angle of about 32 degrees between the wall 34 and the horizontal. While this angle is generally preferred, the angle is expected to be able to vary between 25 and 45 degrees and still remain effective.

[0029] FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate a top plan view and a side elevation view of the pan 30 of FIGS. 2A-2B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Also noted in FIGS. 4A-4B is a front view of stanchion 36, showing, at the distal or upper end, a slot 38 for receiving a side wall (16A, 16B, 16C, or 16D) of the strainer 10. The rectangular plan aspect of the pan 30 is clearly seen in FIG. 4A, with the corner placements of the stanchions 36. FIG. 4B shows a side elevation view of the pan 30, with a bore 40 shown at the distal or upper end of each stanchion 36. When the strainer 30 is seated atop the pan with the side walls 16A-16D (e.g., legs of the sidewalls) positioned in the slots 38 (not shown in FIG. 4B), the bores 40 in the stanchions 36 may be aligned with the bores 27 in the side walls 16A-16D. The aligned bores then provide a situs for insertion of pins or similar fasteners. In this manner, the pan 30 may be easily attached to or removed from the strainer 10.

[0030] FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate details of the attachment of the pan 30 of FIGS. 2A-2B to the strainer 10 of FIGS. 2A-2B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Clearer understanding of the side and front aspects of the upper ends of the stanchions 36, especially slots 38 and bores 40, will be had by reference to FIGS. 5A-5B, which show these aspects in detail.

[0031] When a pan 30 having the angular side wall structure disclosed herein is used in a body of water with a sandy or gravelly base, it has been noted that flow rates of water in excess of 1500 gallons per minute, and preferably in the range of 1700 to 2000 gallons per minute, are achieved without any stirring or roiling of the sand or gravel base. Because of this, the combination of the strainer 10 and the pan 30, which sits on the bottom of the body of water, may be used to draw water successfully in water sources as shallow as 3.5″, a feat which is impossible with riser-type or floating strainer devices.

[0032]FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a system 600 using the strainer 10 of FIGS. 1A-1E, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The system 600 comprises a strainer 10 attached to a pan 30. The system further comprises a tank 610 and a pump 620. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the tank 610 and the pump 620 are part of a truck 630 (e.g., a tanker/pumper fire truck). The system 600 includes a hose 640 which connects an outlet of the strainer 10 to an inlet of the tank 610.

[0033]FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method 700 to sieve and transport water using the system 600 of FIG. 6, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. In step 710, a strainer is connected to a first end of a hose. In step 720, the strainer is submerged in a source of water. In step 730, a second end of the hose is connected to a tank.

[0034] Referring again to FIG. 6, the strainer 10 is shown as being submerged in a source of water such as, for example, a pond. The strainer 10 is elevated by the pan 30 via the stanchions 36. The hose 640 connects to a threaded hose connector of the strainer 10. The other end of the hose 640 connects to the tank 610 of the truck 630. During operation, the pump 620 creates a difference in pressure between the tank 610 and the strainer 10 such that water is drawn into the bottom of the strainer 10 above the pan 30. The strainer/pan combination prevents foreign objects (e.g., rocks, sand, leaves, gravel, etc.) from entering the system 600. When the tank 610 is filled with water, the water in the tank 610 may be dispersed onto a fire via other means in order to put out the fire.

[0035] In summary, embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus, a system and a method for obtaining sieved water, for fighting fires, from a source of water having foreign objects. A strainer is connected to a tank via a hose such that water may be pumped from the strainer to the tank. The strainer includes a water inlet having a sieve-like material over it and a water outlet connector where the hose connects. During operation, the strainer is submerged in a source of water such as a pond or stream. As water enters the strainer via the water inlet, the sieve-like material prevents foreign objects such as rocks and leaves from entering the strainer. A pan may be connected to the bottom of the strainer to elevate the strainer above the bottom of the source of water. Such elevating helps achieve desired flow rates without stirring or roiling foreign objects such as sand or gravel that may be at the bottom of the source of water.

[0036] While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus for straining water used in association with water supplies in fire fighting, said apparatus comprising: a substantially closed, submergible, hollow structure enclosing a volume of space; a connector mounted to said hollow structure over a first opening in said hollow structure; and at least one sieve-like material mounted to said hollow structure over at least a second opening in said hollow structure.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one sieve-like material mounted over at least said second opening functions as a water inlet of said apparatus.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said connector mounted over said first opening functions as a water outlet of said apparatus.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said connector comprises a threaded hose connector.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one sieve-like material comprises an expanded metal plate with holes.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a pan; and at least one stanchion connecting said pan to said hollow structure to support said hollow structure above said pan.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said hollow structure is shaped such that a bottom of said hollow structure provides at least one leg to hold a substantial part of said hollow structure above a surface on which said apparatus is placed.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a pan; and at least one stanchion connecting said pan to at least one leg of said hollow structure wherein said at least one leg is formed on a bottom of said hollow structure by shaping said bottom of said hollow structure.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a pan including a flat bottom of a substantially rectangular shape and outwardly angled sidewalls; and at least one stanchion connecting said pan to said hollow structure to support said hollow structure above said pan.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a pan; and at least one stanchion connecting said pan to at least one leg of said hollow structure wherein said at least one stanchion includes a slot such that said at least one leg of said hollow structure fits into said at least one slot.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a pan having at least one stanchion to support said hollow structure above said pan, and wherein said at least one stanchion is connected to at least one leg of said hollow structure via at least one fastener.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a pan having at least one stanchion to support said hollow structure above said pan, and wherein said at least one stanchion is connected to said hollow structure via at least one fastener.
 13. A system for obtaining sieved water from a source for fighting fires, said system comprising: a submergible strainer to take in water from a source of said water while keeping out foreign objects; a tank to hold a volume of said strained water; and a hose connected between said strainer and said tank to transport said strained water from said strainer to said tank such that said water can be used to fight a fire.
 14. The system of claim 13 wherein said submergible strainer comprises: a substantially closed, submergible, hollow structure enclosing a volume of space; a threaded hose connector mounted to said hollow structure over a first opening in said hollow structure to allow connection of said hose to said strainer; and at least one sieve-like material mounted to said hollow structure over at least a second opening in said hollow structure to allow said water to be taken into said hollow structure from said source while being sieved of said foreign objects.
 15. The system of claim 13 further comprising a pump to create a difference in pressure between said strainer and said tank such that said water moves from said strainer to said tank via said hose.
 16. The system of claim 13 wherein said tank is part of a truck.
 17. The system of claim 15 wherein said pump is part of a truck.
 18. A method to obtain sieved water from a source for fighting fires, said method comprising: connecting a strainer to a first end of a hose; submerging said strainer in a source of water; and connecting a second end of said hose to a tank.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein said strainer comprises: a substantially closed, submergible, hollow structure enclosing a volume of space; a hose connector mounted to said hollow structure over a first opening in said hollow structure to allow connection of said hose to said strainer; and at least one sieve-like material mounted to said hollow structure over at least a second opening in said hollow structure to allow said water to be taken into said hollow structure from said source while being sieved of foreign objects.
 20. The method of claim 18 further comprising pumping said water from said source into said strainer through said hose and into said tank. 